MIAMI — Bobby Parnell is still the Mets’ closer, but his role isn’t as clear as it was a week ago.
Two blown saves in three days will do that.
Manager Terry Collins said yesterday that Parnell will remain the primary closer for the rest of the season, but he will also use others in the mix.
“Even though he’s throwing 100 [mph] right now, this time of year they don’t feel it, but the fatigue starts to set in physically,” Collins said before last night’s 1-0 win over the Marlins.
“He’s not commanding his pitches. For the most part, he’s been in the mid-20s [in pitches] when he goes out there. That begins to take a toll, especially when you’re doing it every day.”
Yet that’s what Parnell will have to do if he wants to keep that role.
“It’s been a long year for me,” Parnell said. “I’ve been up and down, but also it’s the aspect of trying to learn a new role. I want to be out there every day and not ask for any days off.”
And while this is not like last year, when the Mets made the ill-conceived decision to have Hisanori Takahashi close games instead of Parnell after Francisco Rodriguez was lost for the season, it’s another indication that Parnell is having a hard time with the transition — though he said it’s not that much of an adjustment.
“It’s close to the same thing, just a different inning,” said Parnell, who was shut down with an elbow injury at the end of last year but is healthy now. “The big thing is I feel comfortable out there in the ninth inning, I really do.”
But Parnell admits he’s not having much success.
“I think my biggest downfall is trying to do too much and make it bigger than it really is,” he said. “I need to relax and just go after the hitters. I’m out there trying to throw 100 [mph] and make some nasty sliders when really all I need to do is just go out there and do what I’ve been doing.
“Usually when I get in trouble, it’s from overthrowing.”